The royal toddler smiles on the steps of Kensington Palace wearing his sought-after Cath Kidston vest

Three official portraits of Prince George have been released in time for Christmas by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The 16-month-old toddler, who is third in line to the throne, can be seen smiling on the stone steps of a courtyard in Kensington Palace.

It has been almost five months since the prince was last seen in official photographs and a royal spokesperson made clear that the new pictures were released partially as a thank you to the media for not publishing any unauthorised photographs.

A statement from Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released the images in "grateful acknowledgment of the fact that their request for Prince George to grow up without intrusion from photography has been, and continues to be, honoured".

Click on the images below to see them in full:

According to the BBC, the photographs were taken in late November by Prince Harry's private secretary and freelance photographer Ed Lane Fox.

The images, released by Clarence House on Twitter, were shared more than 10,000 times.

The Daily Telegraph points out that designers have sold out of stock previously worn by the prince. "The 'George effect' was coined shortly after the prince was born when sales of the swaddling blanket he was wrapped in as he left hospital rose by 600% in the following week," says the newspaper.

Cath Kidston no longer stocks the top, but has confirmed that it will be added back into its children's wear range in 2015 "due to popular demand". Meanwhile, people who already own the vest have been putting it on eBay in a bid to make some cash.

Prince George: photographer told to stop 'harassing' royal baby

2 October 2014

Lawyers for Prince William and Kate Middleton have issued a warning to a freelance photographer who was allegedly "harassing" Prince George.

The couple are apparently concerned that the paparazzi have been pursuing their son during walks in London parks with his nanny. The final straw came last week when a man tried to take pictures of the young prince in Battersea Park, reports the Evening Standard.

One senior royal source told reporters the individual had already been spoken to by royal protection officers about his behaviour on previous occasions over the past five years.

A statement from Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were prompted to take action after the man was spotted near the young prince.

"No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer," said Kensington Palace officials.

"There is reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time.

"The duke and duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit but while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible."

The Evening Standard's royal editor Robert Jobson notes that so far no unofficial photographs of Prince George have been published in UK newspapers and magazines. Some have, however, apparently appeared in magazines abroad.

"Perhaps, given the role Prince George will one day play, more set-piece photo opportunities could be arranged in the future," he says. "That would probably reduce the marketing opportunities for paparazzi photographs in an instant."

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Someone needs to tell these folks that a due date isn't actually a date. It's a span of time PLUS OR MINUS TWO WEEKS. If William was born 10 days "early," it still wasn't early.

Submitted by mezzo65 on July 6, 2013 - 1:05pm.

Kate and William should choose the place where they feel the most comfortable.....END of discussion!

Submitted by Lori Lynne Van on July 13, 2013 - 2:38am.

Is there still a chance for twins for the royal couple, because of the rare morning sickness she had?

Submitted by Hayley C on July 13, 2013 - 9:13am.

Exactly

Submitted by Michaela on July 13, 2013 - 6:56pm.

I do think that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should choose the place where they feel comfortable..... Kate could give birth any day now.

Submitted by Bobbina on July 18, 2013 - 2:39pm.

THANK GOD you have covered this story.

I was starting to think that The Week had no interest at all in brave Kate and her gestation. You've barely written anything about it at all and I have often had to turn to the Daily Mail for updates.

Please keep up the good work. News? Schmews!

I don't want to read about anything else ever again because endless speculation about this is all that matters in the world.

Submitted by Darlene Buckingham on July 19, 2013 - 1:46pm.

The baby will be a Leo the Lion (Kate's Mother knows the plan) the stolen symbol of royalty and was conceived on October 31st - the lion is a universal symbol of courage which the royals and any one who bows their head to them has not cultivated within themselves. The royals plan everything by astrology and ritual. Don't believe me, do the research. The royals are not who we think they are and it is time for the rule by bloodlines to be done away with. Belief in rule by bloodlines is holding humanity back from evolving into the sacred, sovereign beings we are meant to be. The royals have hijacked humanity, held back how to live a sacred spiritual life and use knowledge about how humanity works to rule over us. Time for bloodlines and those that bow to them to evolve and get back on track. Life will be better.

Submitted by Lucy Brown on July 19, 2013 - 2:03pm.

Haa haaa, makes me laugh... The baby will come when it's ready... due date indeed?? Nature runs to its own schedule :)

Submitted by Lucy Brown on July 19, 2013 - 2:04pm.

Absolutely! In fact, I think she should have it at home... that'd really stuff the journalists. :)

Submitted by Virendra Sason on July 19, 2013 - 3:42pm.

Perhaps Kate Middleton baby some how trying to avoid July 2013 as OUT OF BOUND MARS period under which baby grand father Prince Charles and Uncle Prince Harry were born. Baby may know the occult science of Planets and Constellations.

Submitted by erica on July 19, 2013 - 9:50pm.

Im thinking the baby will be born Sunday July 21,2013 i say around 1:30pm....just guessing for fun

Submitted by The Once and Future King on July 19, 2013 - 10:38pm.

At long last, is it not time for the "Once and Future King" to return? Let the Duchess of Cambridge and her Prince name the newborn boy after Prince William's middle name:

Let it be: Arthur

Let us rejoice in the possibility and hope of Virtue's return; In the promise of that brightest city of light, on that hill that is Camelot.

Submitted by Carly Guerrero on July 19, 2013 - 10:38pm.

This story is getting boring. Even though I like the boys and Kate, come on, she's not the first or last to give birth.

Submitted by leisakay on July 20, 2013 - 2:13am.

one word about this article...... spellcheck!

Submitted by pmtfairy on July 20, 2013 - 8:41am.

.The Author of this article perhaps should in future spell check. or read through before submitting as Biorth is actually , Birth

Submitted by georgina ragg on July 20, 2013 - 8:49am.

i think there is another month or more to go as they announced before 12 weeks which means they "got lucky" in december...8 months ago and it takes just over 9 to develop...

Submitted by Dee on July 20, 2013 - 9:08am.

I'd believe your rant more if your name wasn't Buckingham.

Submitted by Roberta Mayville on July 20, 2013 - 5:44pm.

She gave birth in the palace a week ago. The press will not get their hands on a picture of this kids for a pretty long time!

Submitted by richard on July 20, 2013 - 10:14pm.

let it be 22nd my birthday and if its a boy call him richard arfter me..lol

Submitted by hannahstevens on July 20, 2013 - 10:24pm.

Rare morning sickness? I think most women experience morning sickness in the early stages of pregnancy. It is more rare not to.

Submitted by Flumo on July 20, 2013 - 10:59pm.

is it too late for an abortion?

Submitted by Melissa on July 21, 2013 - 2:48am.

there is no such thing as rare morning sickness :) morning sickness is common morning ,afterniin or night! :)

Submitted by sickofflumo on July 21, 2013 - 5:39am.

You are a stupid idiot. Just let this baby come into this world without stupid idiots like you.

Submitted by marie on July 21, 2013 - 9:50am.

I hope its a girl and born on my birthday 28th july

Submitted by Nina on July 21, 2013 - 4:08pm.

aww the bab y must be beautiful like kate and william awww so cute little couple wih a babey godmake her better

Submitted by Shelley D on July 21, 2013 - 10:14pm.

Lol..you misspelled Spell check.

Submitted by deb on July 21, 2013 - 10:50pm.

22nd is Full Moon so you just might get your wish

Submitted by Nikki Hayes on July 22, 2013 - 11:38am.

It wasn't "normal" morning sickness, it was a rare type that only affects 1 in 200 women and is dangerous as they are constantly vomiting and at high risk of dehydration and malnutrition - this is why she was taken into hospital for it. I really wish people would get their facts right before spouting nonsense.

Submitted by hannahstevens on July 22, 2013 - 1:46pm.

Then I must have had that "rare" morning sickness because I had the very same thing happen to me. I couldn't stop vomiting and had to be hospitalized due to being dehydrated. Again morning sickness is not rare in itself, the circumstances that sometimes occurr may be rare. In my case it was because I didn't know how to manage my morning sickness. And sometimes excessive nerves can cause this as well.

" I really wish people would get their facts right before spouting nonsense." I am sure you have all the facts though, so what do I know. Are you a doctor?

Submitted by Nikki Hayes on July 22, 2013 - 1:52pm.

No but I do read more than the headlines and tabloids. The condition Kate had is called hyperemesis gravidarum - look it up and educate yourself like I did ;o)

Submitted by ocmomof5 on July 22, 2013 - 5:41pm.

I had hyperemesis with my last 3...in and out of the hospital.....but all 3 were born healthy 10 lbs 2 oz, 7 lbs 15 oz and 9 lbs 3 oz.....

Submitted by Nikki Hayes on July 22, 2013 - 5:42pm.

That is good to hear, hopefully Kate will also have a healthy delivery ;o)

Submitted by hidflect on July 22, 2013 - 5:46pm.

It's a bouncing baby lizard!

Submitted by Abby on July 23, 2013 - 1:26pm.

The baby was born at 4.24pm not 4.42pm - if you are going to make a report then please get the facts right first.